1. THIS MARAD ADVISORY PROVIDES SUGGESTED PIRACY COUNTERMEASURES FOR COMMERCIAL VESSELS TRANSITING THE GULF OF ADEN. THESE GUIDELINES USED INPUT FROM IMO/MSC/CIRCULAR 623/REV.3, WHICH SHOULD BE REVIEWED FOR APPROPRIATE IMPLEMENTATION: (HTTP://WWW.IMO.ORG/INCLUDES/BLAST_BINDOC.ASP?DOC_ID=941&FORMAT=PDF).
2. AN OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE REVIEW OF INCIDENT REPORTS IN THE GULF OF ADEN BETWEEN 15 JULY 2008 TO 15 SEPTEMBER 2008 INDICATES THAT:
ALL BUT ONE HIJACKING OCCURRED DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. NO VESSELS HAVE BEEN ATTACKED IN THE GULF OF ADEN BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 1800 AND 0400 LOCAL TIME.
VESSELS OPERATING UNDER 16 KNOTS AND WITH A LOW FREEBOARD (LESS THAN SIX METERS) SHOULD CONSIDER THEMSELVES AT EXTREMELY HIGH RISK OF BEING ATTACKED BY PIRATES.
OPERATORS OF VESSELS WITH THESE CHARACTERISTICS SHOULD CONSIDER THE LACK OF PIRATE ACTIVITY AT NIGHT WHEN PLANNING A TRANSIT.
NOTIFY MARLO BAHRAIN OF SCHEDULE 48 HOURS PRIOR TO PASSAGE. CONTACT MARLO AT: MARLO.BAHRAIN@ME.NAVY.MIL DUTY PHONE: +973-3940-1395.
SECURE A PRE-DESIGNATED AREA FOR CREWMEMBERS TO MUSTER.
SECURE ALTERNATIVE STEERING LOCATION, IF POSSIBLE.
PREPARE A LIST OF CONTACT NUMBERS AND EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR ASSISTANCE.
EMPHASIZE EXTRA SECURITY MEASURES BY ADDING MORE SECURITY PERSONNEL AND ROVING WATCHES AS NECESSARY.
ESTABLISH DURESS WORD FOR CREW.
ENSURE CREW RADIOS AND IN-VESSEL COMMUNICATIONS (PHONES) ARE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
STAGE ANTI-PIRACY EQUIPMENT (FIRE HOSES, SPOTLIGHTS, ETC.).
REMOVE ANY EQUIPMENT HANGING OVER THE SIDE THAT COULD BE USED TO GAIN ACCESS, E.G. RAISING THE ACCOMODATION LADDER.
PRACTICE PIRACY DRILLS, PROVIDE REFRESHER TRAINING FOR THE CREW CONCERNING ANTI-PIRACY MEASURES.
USE GULF OF ADEN TRANSIT CORRIDOR (REF ADVISORY 2008-05).
CHECK IN WITH MARLO BAHRAIN UPON ENTERING TRANSIT CORRIDOR.
TRANSIT AT HIGHEST PRACTICABLE SPEED.
MOUNT FULLEST WATCH POSSIBLE-ASSURE THAT LOOKOUTS ARE POSITIONED TO ENSURE 360 DEGREE COVERAGE.
USE EXTRA RADAR WATCH.
SINGLE POINT OF ENTRY INTO THE HOUSE.
SECURE DECK LIGHTING (EXCEPT FOR MANDATORY NAVIGATION LIGHTS).
TAKE OBVIOUS MEASURES (E.G. MUSTER, MAN HIGH-PRESSURE HOSES, ALTER COURSE, FIRE FLARES, TURN ON ALL LIGHTS IF AT NIGHT).
SOUND ALARM SIGNALS.
ACTIVATE SSAS.
NOTIFY MARLO BAHRAIN.
CHANGE COURSE REPEATEDLY IF UNABLE TO OUTRUN PIRATE CRAFT (CONSISTENT WITH SAFE NAVIGATION).
HOSE TEAM TO REMAIN BEHIND COVER UNTIL IT CAN BE USED EFFECTIVELY.
USE HOSES TO PREVENT BOARDING.
REMAINDER OF CREW TO GO TO SECURE LOCATION.
IF CANNOT USE HOSES, SEND CREW TO SECURE LOCATION AND/OR ALTERNATIVE STEERING POSITIONS.
DO NOT RESIST.
